Microsoft Opens New Retail Stores for the Holidays

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Microsoft has announced plans to open 30 “pop-up” holiday stores
across the U.S. and two in Canada, an effort intended to drum up
interest in Windows 8 and its Surface tablet ahead of the holiday
shopping season.

The Redmond, Wash. company operates 23 permanent stores
nationwide with another eight opening soon. These locations are
mostly on the east and west coasts: the holiday locations are
placed in areas without permanent retail stores, with several in
the Midwest.

With the new locations, Microsoft’s retail footprint more than
doubles, if only temporarily.

No opening date has been given for any of the holiday stores,
although it is likely the locations will open shortly given
October is a busy month for Microsoft. Windows
8 and the Surface tablet both go on sale October 26 .
While Windows 8 will be available through several
retailers, the
Surface is only available online and through the
Microsoft Store.

Microsoft’s tablet has received praise for its design and is seen
as a worthy competitor to the market-leading Apple
iPad . Its lack of availability may frustrate some trying to
get their hands on Microsoft’s tablet, though. With more stores,
consumers will have more opportunity to see the Surface in
person.

Microsoft might have more in mind than just its own products.
With most of these locations, there is a pattern developing: the
presence of Apple.

Nearly every one of the 32 shopping centers listed also host an
Apple Store. With Apple also expecting a solid holiday season
with a new
iPhone and potentially a new iPad model, Microsoft
might competing head to head as a smart business strategy. Apple
currently operates 382 retail locations worldwide.